Raglan is one nineteen rural Westpac branches – from Kamo to Ranfurly – that could be set to close, putting 72 jobs at risk, according to the bank workers’ union.
Westpac refused to confirm the numbers but said a proposal was before staff. More people were using online banking services, it said.
First Union finance organiser Tali Williams said Westpac should expect community resistance to the closures.
Ms Williams said the bank should be ashamed to be cutting services when it made nearly $1 billion in profit last year.
“I think there’s an element of shame that’s in the equation for them,” she said. “They know they can afford to keep these branches open, and that this is a choice.”
Australian bank Westpac’s proposal to slash 72 jobs will hit provincial New Zealand hard and is totally unwarranted, says New Zealand First Spokesperson for Commerce Fletcher Tabuteau.
“Westpac made a half yearly profit of $445 million up to March 31 which was a 2 per cent increase and to consider axing jobs under these circumstances is just greed.
“New Zealand First has been advised Westpac branch offices are as busy as ever with only a slight decline in over the counter transactions.
“The biggest losers, if this proposal goes ahead, will be small towns and rural communities.
“Jobs will be lost and older people will be greatly inconvenienced having to travel sizeable distances to get the bank services they require.
“If Westpac has a concern for its clients, they will maintain their present staffing levels,” Mr Tabuteau says.
The centres where job cuts are proposed are:
Kamo, Tauranga (Cherrywood), Palmerston North (Broadway), Christchurch (Bishopdale and Fendalton Mall), Dunedin (Gardens), Waikanae, Carterton, Raglan, Ranfurly, Te Aroha, Putaruru, Whangamata, Takaka, Stoke, Wainuiomata, Te Anau, Fairlie and Otorohanga.
Our councillor has written, “Please think about reasons you could give staff to avoid closure” – put ideas at https://www.facebook.com/ragcombd/posts_to_page/